Hybrid air immersion mattress

ABSTRACT

The hybrid air immersion mattress is a non-powered complete support system using an adjustable zoned air/foam filled cells and self inflating automatic pressure relief system that surrounds the patient and conforms to an individual&#39;s shape to provide skin/soft tissue injury protection and assist in wound healing providing greater immersion and comfort. The air/foam filled cells conform to an individual&#39;s shape to provide skin/soft tissue injury protection and assist in wound healing. The air immersion mattress stimulates a fluid environment which enhances the prevention and management of pressure ulcers, skin flaps, and grafts. The hybrid air immersion mattress is designed for comfort and enhanced circulation utilizing adjustable air bladders together with high density support foam. The apparatus includes a low friction mattress cover top, memory foam topper, mattresses air bladder containing air and foam elements, foam foundation, mattress bottom, inflation valve for the bolsters, and adjustable valves for the air bladders.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/654,431 filed on Apr. 8, 2018 and incorporated by reference inits entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of air mattresses made toprovide varying amounts of support to selected parts of the body toreduce bed sores, increase the likelihood of healing of wounds to theskin and body structure, and to provide lateral support which helps toprevent a patient from rolling or slipping off the mattress.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of mattresses are used in the medical field which providepatients with comfort, and with varying degrees of support, that is softor firm, for different areas of the body. Inflatable mattresses havebeen used which have separate areas which can be inflated to a selectedpressure, thus providing soft support in some areas and firmer supportin other areas. Preferred mattresses include one or more inflatablechambers. Further, inflatable mattresses can be deflated to facilitateeasy storage in a small space or an unobtrusive location. Thesemattresses may be easily and quickly deployed when needed.

Patients who spend most or all of each day in bed often develop bedsoresdue to particular spots of the body which may be damaged due tosituations such as wounds or to lack of blood flow in those areas. Thesespots generally require special attention and need to be free fromexcess pressure which may be caused by too much contact with a mattress.Normal mattresses provide the same amount of support to all parts of thebody which contact the mattress.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The hybrid air immersion mattress is a non-powered complete supportsystem using an adjustable zoned air/foam filled cells and selfinflating automatic pressure relief system that surrounds the patientand conforms to an individual's shape to provide skin/soft tissue injuryprotection and assist in wound healing providing greater immersion andcomfort. The air/foam filled cells conform to an individual's shape toprovide skin/soft tissue injury protection and assist in wound healing.The air immersion mattress stimulates a fluid environment which enhancesthe prevention and management of pressure ulcers, skin flaps, andgrafts. The hybrid air immersion mattress is designed for comfort andenhanced circulation utilizing adjustable air bladders together withhigh density support foam. The apparatus includes a low frictionmattress cover top, memory foam topper, mattresses air bladdercontaining air and foam elements, foam foundation, mattress bottom,inflation valve for the bolsters, and adjustable valves for the airbladders. The air immersion mattress stimulates a fluid environmentwhich enhances the prevention and management of pressure ulcers, skinflaps, and grafts. The hybrid air immersion mattress is designed forcomfort the use of foam limits the deformation of individual sections ofthe mattress to maintain shape and rigidity.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a patient'sair mattress comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of atleast a base pad assembly including a two multi-density foam pads infire sock, a plurality of lateral inflatable foam filled cross members,two lateral bolsters attaching and supporting the cross members, and atop high density SERENE visco elastic high density foam pad covered by aanti-sheer silicon sheet all wrapped in a mattress cover having astretchable top cover and vinyl bottom cover connecting with a zipper.The silicone sheet covered foam pad comprises a high density foam usinga more compact foam typically made from polyurethane which has a higherdensity than memory foam and sold under the brand name of SERENE foamfrom Carpenter Co., which is made from billions of microscopic aircapsules providing open cells packed tightly together which act toenhance the support properties while reducing pressure on critical bodyparts.

The high density foam resist motion transfer, dissipates heat and isself adjusting relieving pressure points. The SERENE high density foammattress pad measuring 36×80×2 inches is placed on top of the airbladder support which measures about 24×80 inches and consists of twelveparallel generally rectangular cells covered with a contiguous 20 milpoly-film. The first nine cells measure about 6×3×24 inches and containtwo foam cell pads made from high density foam, each measuring about6×3×10 inches. The cells have a three inch gap formed therebetween. Thetenth, eleventh and twelfth cells measure about 7×2×24 inches andcontain one foam pad made from high density foam which measures about7×2×20 inches. The twelve cells are divided into three pneumaticallyindependent sections. The first four of the twelve section form an uppertorso section. The middle four of the twelve sections form a lower torsosection, and the last four sections form a leg section. Each of thethree pneumatically independent sections has an infeed nipple connectedto an air tube which is then connected to a control valve. Each of twolateral edges of the second, third, fourth, sixth, seventh, ninth andeleventh cells has and elastic strap fixed thereto. The left bolster anda right bolster are each made of 20 mil ploy-film and measure about 80inches long with a diameter of about 5 inches and contain a high densityfoam pad measuring about 80×5×4 inches. Both bolsters are pneumaticallyfed by a common control valve. The elastic straps are sized to receiveand firmly hold the bolsters against the lateral edges of the foamfilled inflatable cross members. The cross members and the bolsters reston the top surface of the fire-sock with the 36×80×2 inch pads insideand are self centering so the patient can scoot. A fire sleeve surroundsthe high density foam pad measuring about 20×80 inches wherein thebottom surface of the sleeve has spaced apart patches of hook and/orloop material. The top surface of the bladder has spaced apartcorresponding patches of loop and/or hook material. The sleeve is placedon the bladder so that the spaced apart patches of hook material becomefixed to the spaced apart patches of strap material, thereby fixing thesleeve to the bladder. The fire-sock, the bladder, the bolsters and thesleeve are placed inside a zippered seven way stretch mattress top coverhaving a vinyl bottom.

It is an object of this invention to provide a patient's air mattresswhich includes separated areas which can provide selected firmness basedon the amount of air in the air cells in that area.

It is an object of this invention to provide a patient's air mattresswhich includes bolsters on each side of the mattress which providelateral support preventing a patient from rolling or sliding off themattress, and wherein the bolsters on each side of the mattress can beinflated to a higher pressure than the middle portion of the mattress.

It is an object of this invention to provide a patient's air mattresswhich includes self inflating cells which are grouped into three areasincluding an upper torso area, a lower torso area, and a leg area. Selfinflation is performed when the control valve for the particular area isopened and the foam fill expands within the air cells causing air to besucked into the cells.

It is an object of this invention to provide a patient's air mattresswhich is about 36 inches wide, about 80 inches long, and about 10 incheshigh and includes two base layers of foam rubber, one above the other,two air filled lateral tubes which are 5″×4″×80″ with foam pieces, oneon the left side and one on the right side, a central bladder includingtwelve parallel contiguous air filled cells divided into three groups:an upper torso area, a lower torso area, and a leg area, and a top mattcovering the central bladder.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pressure reducingand relief mattress to decrease the pressure to less than 30 psi, (32 mmof Hg), placed upon capillaries and tissue due to reduced mobility of apatient and preventing capillary closure.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will beapparent with the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention will be had uponreference to the following description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like partsthroughout the views wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the mattress with the topstretchable cover, and silicone sheet covered high density top foam padremoved revealing the air filled side bolsters and inflatable foamfilled lateral cross cells supported between the bolsters;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mattress showing the layersincluding the lower end lateral cross cell, top cover removed andbladder and bolsters raised to show a base pad;

FIG. 3 is a bottom end view of the mattress showing air nipples andvalves;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the low friction silicon sheetcovering the SERENE high density foam pad supported by the cross cellsdisposed between the side bolsters;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing partial removal of the outerstretchable top cover and showing the SERENE high density foam mattresscovered in a low friction silicone sheet supported by inflatable foamfilled cross cells secured to the bolsters with elastic bands;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the air nipples spaced apart andpositioned between the side bolster and lateral cross cells connectingto the bolsters by elastic sleeves;

FIG. 7 is a top partial view of the bladder, bolster, and air tubes;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the multilayer base pad coveredby a fire resistant cock, supporting side bolsters with lateralinflatable cross cells therebetween supporting the high density SERENEfoam pad covered by a low friction silicon sheet of cells 1, 5, and 8;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of cells 2-4, 6, 7 and 9;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of cell 11;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of cells 10 and 12;

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the mattress showing air nipples and airlines extending along the bolster; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the top stretch cover pulled backrevealing the SERENE high density foam layer covered by a sheet of lowfriction silicone sheet supported by inflatable cells resting on a foambase and adjacent a lateral air bolster.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

As used herein, the term “about” can be reasonably appreciated by aperson skilled in the art to denote somewhat above or somewhat below thestated numerical value, to within a range of +10%.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a patienthybrid air immersion mattress 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-13.

A therapeutic air mattress assembly is a non-powered self inflating,pressure relief system that surrounds a patient with air allowinggreater immersion and comfort, simulating a fluid environment to reducepressure ulcers, skin flaps, and grafts. The mattress design provides anadjustable amount of support in selected areas for maximum comfort andease of movement of the patient and minimum likelihood of bedsores. Theassembly includes a pair of spaced apart parallel inflatablelongitudinal members or bolster having a plurality of inflated memoryfoam filled cross cylinders or cells positioned therebetween andperpendicular thereto, secured thereto by a plurality of spaced apartreleasable sleeves. The foam in the foam filled inflatable cross membercells of the central bladder 62 collapses under pressure and has pocketof air for distribution of the air pressure. Patient movement willdepress bladders but the resilient memory foam expands pulling air backinto the original inflated dimensions of the cell when movement occurs.

The air pressure of the longitudinal members or bolsters and crossmembers is adjustable and includes one-way check valves for inflationand deflation and adjustment of pressure for the head, body, and footsections. The air pressure can be adjusted for individual cells or morepreferably for selected cells for creating pressure zones. In addition,shut off valves may be used to overinflate the bolster or selected crosscells. The memory foam dissipates the weight of the patient and a lowfriction sleeve comprising parachute material enables the patient toshift their weight sliding over the mattress surface without binding andallows positioning of the patient by an assistant with a minimum amountof lifting due to the low friction sleeve. The self inflating cell foamcushions in fluid communication with the one way valves lets air intocell to re-inflate to atmospheric pressure when the downward pressureexerted from the patient is removed. Sensors show how much pressure isin each section. A dial setting on regulator valve is used to setpressure for different settings.

The bolsters are pneumatically fed by a common control valve. Theelastic straps are sized to receive and firmly hold the bolsters againstthe lateral edges of the bladder. The bladder and the bolsters rest onthe top surface of the fire-sock with the memory foam pads inside.Covering the bladder is a high density SERENE foam pad having a topsurface covered by a low friction silicone sheet of parachute material.The outer bottom surface of the top silicone covered pad sleevecomprises a stretchable material and includes a plurality of patches ofhook and loop material adhering thereto by an adhesive for cooperativeengagement with a corresponding positioned hook and loop patch ofmaterial adhesively attached to the top surface of selected foam filledinflatable cross members. The top surface of the bladder has spacedapart patches of hook and loop material. The sleeve is placed on thebladder so that the spaced apart patches of hook material become fixedto the spaced apart patches of loop material, thereby removably affixingthe sleeve to the bladder. The air bladder assembly is slidablysupported on the surface of the fire-sock holding the base mattress padsof multi-density foam therein. The components are disposed inside azippered mattress cover comprising a seven way stretch fabric top coverattached to an 18 oz vinyl bottom cover by a zipper extending along theside of the mattress cover.

The air immersion mattress includes a number of foam filled inflatablecenter cells secured between bolsters with elastic bands. The cells andor bolsters can be filled with a selected amount of air. Nursing homesno longer allow beds with rails so the mattress is designed to be firmin the center cell section, but the bolsters provide peripheral supportand retain the patient in place while they sleep or if it is necessaryto move the patient to one side to apply treatment the bolster isexpanded so that a top portion extends above the center cells providinga side rail means. Moreover the space between the center cell andbolster forms a wedge shaped depression for holding a patient on theside locking the patient in position on the side of the mattress. Thefoam has memory and will re-inflate when ever the patient moves reducingpressure on the foam to eliminate or minimize bed sores which occurwhenever over 30 psig is continually placed on skin for long periods oftime which restricts capillary blood circulation. The foam may be formedin a single elongated rectangular block or two or more blocks arrangedend to end.

The air immersion mattress includes the SERENE visco elastic highdensity foam covered with a high shear parachute fabric comprising asilicon sheet material which is slick having a low friction surface sothe seven way stretch top cover does not bind due but rather slides withrespect to the silicone material during patient movement. The next layeris the air mattress bladder assembly. The bottom layer comprises a cellfilled foam mattress. The breathable polymer fabric top cover enclosesthe mattress assembly.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an airimmersion hybrid mattress assembly. The bottom layer comprises cellfilled foam mattress pads. The middle layer of the air mattress assemblycomprises a pair of spaced apart longitudinal bolsters resting on thetop outer edges of the mattress. A plurality of adjustable inflatablecross cells containing memory foam are positioned side by side betweenthe bolsters and supported by the bottom mattress pad layer.

The hybrid air immersion mattress 100 comprises multiple layers ofsupport material covered with an outer mattress cover 60 having a bottomvinyl portion 63 and top stretch portion 62 including a zipper extendingalong a peripheral side.

A top layer 21 includes a high density visco elastic SERENE foam sheet46 covered by a sleeve 40 of parachute material comprising a siliconbased material having a slick low friction surface to prevent bindingfrom patient movement. The top foam layer is placed on top of the foamfilled inflatable lateral member air bladder mattress assembly 59supported by a base mattress assembly 51 covered with a fire sock. Theentire assembly is placed inside a zip mattress cover 60 having a topstretch cover 61 and bottom vinyl cover 63.

The base mattress assembly 51 comprises a multi density foams includinga bottom sheet 52 comprising a two inch thick sheet of medium densitybase foam supporting a two inch top sheet or topper 54 comprising a highdensity foam material. It should be noted that while the multi-densityfoam pads is not critical and that while preferred a single pad of aselected density may provide a suitable base foam. The mattress baseassembly 51 is covered by a fire sock 50.

The base mattress 51 supports the air bladder mattress assembly 59 whichincludes a right bolster 14, a left bolster 15, and a central bladder 62including twelve generally rectangular contiguous parallel air tightcells 1-12, each one containing a foam pad 101-112, air, and an airvalve for controlling flow communication of ambient air in and out ofthe cells. The middle layer or air bladder mattress assembly 59 isdisposed on top of the base mattress assembly 51 fire sock 50 containingthe foam rubber layer 54 and high density foam layer 52.

The central bladder 62 is formed from injecting a gas such as air in anelongated or tubular member comprising gas impermeable sheet materialwhich includes twelve parallel generally rectangular cells 1-12. Cells1-9 each contain two spaced apart 6×10×3 inch foam pads 47 and 48 madeof high density foam material. Each pair of foam pads 47 and 48 areseparated by a three inch gap 53. Cells 10-12 each contain one 7×20×2inch foam pad 46 made of high density foam material. All of the cellsare formed within one contiguous bladder made from 20 mil gray poly-filmwhich is RF welded to form 12 generally rectangular contiguous parallelair cells. Thus, the central bladder is about 80 inches long by about 24inches wide.

The twelve cells 1-12 of the central bladder 62 are separated into threepneumatically independent sections. The upper torso section 64 consistsof cells 1-4. The lower torso section 66 consists of cells 5-8. The legsection 68 consists of cells 9-12. Each of the three sections of thecentral bladder 62 is fed by one of three independent air inlet nipples32, 34 and 36 which are connected to tubes which terminate at controlvalves. The upper torso section 64 is fed by nipple 32 and controlled byvalve 22. The lower torso section 66 is fed by nipple 34 and controlledby valve 24. The leg section 68 is fed by nipple 36 and controlled byvalve 26. Thus, the three independent sections of the central bladder 62can be inflated to different levels.

To store the central bladder 62, the three control valves may be openedand the bladder is then folded or rolled up to press the air out andcompress the foam pads within the twelve cells. Then the control valvesare closed. To re-inflate the bladder, the control valves are opened andthe foam pads will expand to cause air to be sucked into the cells, thusfilling the bladder. The user can close the valve to each section whenthat section is inflated at the preferred level.

There is a gas “air” inlet opening which is used for inflating the head,foot, and body supporting air bladders of the mattress and the left andright bolsters. The mattress may be inflated by blowing into a tubeconnected to the gas inlet opening, by using a foot pump (not shown), byconnecting a bottle of compressed gas, hand pump, compressed gascartridge or by any known inflation means. The gas inlets are in fluidcommunication with all the inflatable chambers of each section.

The left and right lateral edges of the cells 2-4, 6, 7, 9, and 11include straps (4 inches×18 inches) large enough to receive and holdelastic bands securing the right bolster 14 and the left bolster 15attached adjacent and parallel to on each side of the central bladdercell whereby the bolsters are secured tightly against the sides of thecentral bladder. Adjustable holding means such as an elastic band 16 maybe used to secure each end edge of a selected cell of the centralbladder to a bolster or the elastic bands may be spaced apart to providesupport at selected bolsters depending upon the size and weight of theuser. The bolsters 14 and 15 are also made from 20 mil poly-film whichis RF welded into an eighty-six inch long tube which has a diameter ofabout five inches. The bolsters 14 and 15 are connected pneumaticallywith tubes joined at a Y connection which then terminates at a controlvalve. Each of the bolsters contains a foam pad which is 80×5×4 inchesmade from 18036CFR foam providing additional structural support thereto.

The bladder 62 with bolsters 14 and 15 rest on top of a fire sock 50containing two foam pads 52 and 54 one pad above the other. The pads are36×80×2 inches. The bottom pad 54 is made of high density foam and thebottom pad 52 is made of a selected high or medium density foam. Asilicone sleeve 40 has a top surface made from parachute like materialwhich is silky an eases maneuvering of a patient on the mattress andcontains a SERENE high density foam sheet and the bottom surface is astretchable fabric material. The silicone sleeve foam pad is supportedby the foam filled inflatable air bladder assembly 62. The bottomsurface of the top foam pad 40 contains patches of hook material adheredthereto for cooperatively engaging and the top surface of the bladder 62containing patches of loop material so that when the sleeve 40 is placedon the bladder 62, the hook patches align with and adhere to the looppatches and the sleeve will not slide on the bladder. Finally, theentire assembly described above is placed inside a zip mattress cover.

To inflate the mattress simply turn the red and yellow valves counterclockwise to allow air to fill the mattress for five minutes, “with thepatient off of the mattress”; close off the red and yellow valves byturning them clockwise. With the patient on the mattress, the red valvecan be turned to adjust the air pressure of the head section, and theyellow valve can be turned to adjust the air pressure in the mid “body”section of the mattress. A hand pump can be used to fill the side airbolsters by connecting the quick connect valve on the pump to theinflation valve on the mattress and inflating the bolsters until thedesired pressure is obtained therein. The quick release button on thequick connect valve is used to disconnect the pump.

The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness ofunderstanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understoodtherefrom, for modification will become obvious to those skilled in theart upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing fromthe spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.Accordingly, this invention is not intended to be limited by thespecific exemplification presented herein above. Rather, what isintended to be covered is within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim:
 1. A hybrid air immersion mattress, comprising: a base padcomprising a high density foam pad enclosed by a fire sock; aninflatable air bladder assembly consisting of a plurality of highdensity foamed filled inflatable cross member cells comprising a gasimpermeable polymer supported by said base pad, at least some of saidinflatable cross member cells including air bladder hook and loopmaterial adhering to a top surface thereof; an inflatable left bolsterand an inflatable right bolster supporting said plurality of highdensity foamed filled inflatable cross member cells disposedtherebetween supported by said base pad; a top pad comprising a highdensity visco elastic foam including a top cover comprising a lowfriction silicone sheet connecting to a stretchable fabric covering abottom surface of said top pad and said bottom surface of said sleevehaving spaced apart patches of top pad hook and loop material adheringthereto for cooperative engagement with said air bladder hook and loopmaterial; and a cover comprising a top sheet of stretchable airpermeable fabric connecting to a vinyl bottom sheet of materialconnecting thereto by a zipper.